OSCE Media Freedom Representative welcomes release of journalist in Tajikistan, calls for all charges to be dropped

Family of Khayrullo Mirsaidov following court decision to release the journalist, 22 August 2018. (Asia Plus)

VIENNA, 22 August 2018 - OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today welcomed the release of Khayrullo Mirsaidov on appeal by decision of the Sughd regional court. “I am relieved that the court decided to set Mirsaidov free today. While this is a welcome step forward, I very much hope that the remaining charges against him are finally dropped,” Désir said.

Khayrullo Mirsaidov was originally charged under Articles Incitement to Inter-Ethnic Hatred, Embezzlement, Forgery of Documents, Stamps and False Accusation. On 11 July the court found him guilty of the charges and sentenced him to 12 years in a penal colony. The charges of extremism have since been dropped.

Today the Sughd regional court heard Mirsaidov's appeal and commuted his sentence to a fine of approximately 80,000 Somoni (or roughly 8,500 US dollars) and correctional labor. His family has previously paid a fine of 124,000 Somoni to the state. Many of the charges against him were upheld.

“I have and will continue to offer my assistance and that of my Office to the authorities of Tajikistan in an effort to improve the media situation in the country,” the Representative stated.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter:@OSCE_RFoMand onwww.facebook.com/osce.rfom.